Customer Reviews

The Gilded Room: Decorating with Metallic Effects, from Metal Leaf to Powders, Pastes and Paints

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Though I have numerous books about decorative finishes, this is the only one that focuses on metal effects. It is packed with fresh ideas and techniques not seen elsewhere. While many other books focus on cute floral or antique looking interiors, there are many projects here with a clean, modern, metallic look, along with classical styles as well.

There are over 15 projects including a faux-gold wall, aluminum wall paneling, metallic-effect patterned floor tiles, mesh lampshade with metal accents, Moroccan-style shutters, a steel-effect column and an incised gesso plaque. Each project includes a materials list, and step-by-step instructions accompanied by photos. A discussion of the project and large photo of the finished design is included as well.

Technical information is included in the back. There is a photograph of just about every tool and material you will use. The author also guides you seamlessly through preparing size and gesso. The details of water-gilding, gilding with oil and acrylic size, finishes, metal patination, and painted metallic effects are also shown. There is also an awesome section spanning nine pages that shows swatches of over 70 special effects including painted patinas, metal-leaf patinas, and patterned metallics.

If you love the look of metal then you need to buy this book. With so much information and so many inspirational ideas you won't be disappointed.

Metallic finishes don't have to look like cheap tin foil. This book shows you how to decorate with a variety of metallic shades, from burnished golds to delicate silvers and everything in between. The most comprehensive book on this subject that I've ever seen.

If I wanted to paint something metallic, this would be the book I would go to for instructions . If I hadn't just bought a bunch of other interior decoration books, I would have bought this one. The projects were very creative and inspiring and surprisingly untacky. This book would be a fun addition to any design junkies library.

Pluses:
It has a wide variety of projects, easy to understand technical info, instructions and tools listed in great detail.

Bonus:
Several pages of color swatches for every type of paint effect and metallic color imaginable.

Minus:
If you were expecting 70's metallic wallpaper, don't buy this book.

Recommendation: Buy this book!

Kerry Skinner's The Gilded Room: Decorating With Metallic Effects, From Metal Leaf To Powders, Pastes & Paints offers do-it-yourself interior decorators twenty innovative projects for walls, floors, furniture and accessories incorporating traditional and contemporary techniques for decorative metallic effects ranging from water-gilding to decoupage. Each project is profusely illustrated with clear step-by-step instructions and enhanced with the color photography by Tim France. The Gilded Room is a very highly recommended addition to any personal or professional interior design reference collection.

This book helped me tremendously as an artist. It was easy to read and very informative without a lot of complicated wording. Excellent reference for any artist wanting to use metallic medium.

I think Ms. Skinner has a lot of talent but I was disappointed in the projects. I wanted some advice to use on different areas of my house but the projects in the book were really unique and not applicable, I believe, to most people. It was not a book I would order again.